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Bridging the gap between provinces, relationships

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique N. Smythe
  • 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Afghan nationals and members of the U.S. and other coalition forces gathered at the Arghandab District Center in the Zabul province Dec. 26 prior to an opening ceremony of a bridge that would prove to be very symbolic as well as critical for the commerce of people of the area.

The gathering took place outdoors, surrounded by orchards and farmland in one of the most fertile regions of the province. At the head table sat Zabul's Provincial Governor Mohammad Ashraf Naseri and U.S. officials Maj. Gen. Stephen Mueller, U.S. Air Forces Central Air Component Coordination Element director, Brig. Gen. Frederick Hodges, director of operations for Regional Command - South, Brig. Gen. Guy Walsh, the commander of the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing on Kandahar Airfield, and Lt. Col. Andy Veres, commander of Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul.

Village elders from the surrounding area, dressed in their traditional garments and lungees, sat under the clear sky. Their shoes lined the outer edge of the carpets. Both U.S. and Afghan National Army security forces secured the area on ground and rooftops. Afghan media personnel swarmed the area to record the event from their small, handheld point-and-shoot cameras.

This was a big day.

Hot tea served in small clear glassed teacups warmed the hands of those who drank during the cool brisk morning. Behind the head leaders' table towered mountains in the distance, symbolic of those challenges which these nations gathered together have faced, will face, and shall overcome together.

With the exception of three American women - two U.S. Air Force Public Affairs Airmen and another from the State Department, Dr. Deborah Alexander - the yard was filled with men who had key leadership positions within the government, village elders, soldiers and young boys.

To them, the leaders spoke, explaining the importance of this bridge and the symbolism of commitment that both their government and the NATO coalition has to them.

Governor Naseri spoke first, thanking the distinguished delegation for attending the day's ceremony. He explained that the foundation for the last section of the bridge began six months ago and was finally completed on this day. The project had initially begun three years earlier, but remained incomplete due to various obstacles that prevented previous contractors from completing the bridge.

Governor Naseri said this bridge will help in maintaining relationships between neighboring districts. This bridge will benefit the Arghandab people by allowing them to take their food and produce to markets and bring their supplies from the Qalat bazaar to Arghandab. It will allow the Arghandab people to cross the river during the winter months when the river tends to flood. The bridge is also important to security during these flood months when forces were previously limited to being supported b helicopter due to high water levels. It is 170 meters long and four meters wide.

The International Security Assistance Forces Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul, which funded the bridge through the Commander's Emergency Response Program, worked in partnership with local community leaders and members to complete this project. Governor Naseri said the total cost was approximately one million U.S. dollars.

General Mueller, who flew down from Kabul, expressed his honor to be with the governor of Zabul and all the important elders of the district.

"For me, it's an opportunity to see firsthand some of the progress that we're making in the Zabul Province," he said.

He explained how a bridge can provide a very important capability as well as serve as a very important symbol.

"First, and most importantly, to build a bridge you have to have a solid foundation," he said. "Without a foundation of trust and without a foundation of teamwork, it's impossible to build that bridge. To build across a river also requires you to have the confidence and strength to reach across to the unknown. And that unknown means that you have to trust each other and trust that we're partners in the NATO coalition that's here, as well as within your local community."

The bridge is symbolic of the NATO coalition's commitment to support and improve the level of commerce and quality of life for all of Afghanistan, he said.

"The bridge is a commitment to show that we're giving and not taking," General Mueller said. "For NATO to help build this bridge, it shows that we want to leave the capability here for the province and not take it away. You only build a bridge if you have a commitment to a long term partnership. The bridge is important to show that it's a long term commitment of friendship to all of you."

When General Hodges stood to speak, he assured the people that their governor works very hard on their behalf and explained that they should be very confident that they have a strong security because of their Afghan generals' leadership.

"I am very proud that this bridge has finally been completed to help the people of Arghandab district," General Hodges said. "I hope that this bridge represents a commitment to Zabul Province that we will not leave Zabul Province; we will not abandon any district."

General Hodges said he wanted the governor and generals to remain confident that the coalition would stay and continue to help the Afghan security forces and the Afghan people in the Zabul province.

Each speaker received a round of applause from the elders. Several stood to express their gratitude and how very important this bridge will be to their lives. They then addressed a few concerns, such as the need for more security and a protection wall along the river for the floods that may wash away their field, crops and orchards.

At the conclusion of the assembly, more than 100 Afghans and coalition servicemembers hiked down a beaten dusty road toward the bridge, passing mounds of dirt, barriers and patches of dried wild grass with mountains overlooking the distance. Behind them followed several Afghan National Army security forces pick-up trucks.

Three sheep stood just where the road met the bridge by the low-tide river. Everyone gathered around to witness as they were sacrificed to celebrate the opening of the Arghandab Bridge. The people then continued their journey to survey a small portion of the brand new bridge which continued out into the distance. Although simple, this bridge was built to have a high load-bearing capacity and allow easy maintenance for the Afghans.

After visiting the bridge, the leaders and their entourage flew to Qalat to explore the new bazaar in that city. There they saw merchants who laid out their produce and supplies along sides of the street. Merchants and children stepped out of their shops to see all these people walking through their streets with their heavy security, escorts and vehicles. These were a few of the people who would benefit from the new Arghandab Bridge. Governor Naseri took hold of General Hodge's hand and they walked hand-in-hand for a few moments. According to Afghan custom and as a gesture of friendship, this was proof of the partnership that exists between the U.S. and Afghan people.